A Timeless Romance Anthology: Summer Wedding Collection

by Melanie Jacobson

  His arms tightened around her, and his dancing slowed.

  Wow. Lexi’s heart beat faster than it had even when she used to dance ballet three hours a night. She wasn’t sure where her body ended and his started.

  “I’m pretty nervous too,” David said.

  His words did nothing to slow her heart rate. “You don’t seem like a nervous person.”

  “I’m usually not.” David drew away, his hands still at her waist as his gaze met hers.

  “What are you nervous about?” Lexi asked, even though the look in his eyes pretty much told her.

  “You…” He touched her cheek, and his thumb moved slowly along her jaw line.

  Lexi couldn’t move. His touch seemed to burn through her, but at the same time, goose bumps rose on her arms. Was he going to kiss her? The thought sent her pulse racing again. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been kissed; it had been that unremarkable. Somehow she sensed kissing David would be different.

  “I think I have some explaining to do,” he said, dropping his hand and releasing her.

  Lexi could breathe again, but her heart was in a sorry state. She thought he was going to kiss her.

  “Do you want to go for a walk?” he asked, extending his hand.

  Lexi looked down at it, and before she could second-guess herself, she slipped hers in his. They walked toward the pulsing surf, where the moonlight made the water gleam silver.

  David stopped a few yards from the shore line, then turned to face her. He let go of her hand and shoved his hands in his pockets. If the iPod was still playing, she couldn’t hear it above the waves. “I know tomorrow is your last day, but getting to know you has been… unexpected.”

  Lexi agreed, but where was David going with this?

  He looked toward the ocean, rubbing the back of his neck. “This is going to sound crazy, but I think you are why I broke up with Angel.”

  Lexi stared at his profile. “But we just met.”

  “Yeah,” he said, looking over at her. A fire in his eyes made Lexi catch her breath. “We hardly know each other, but I already know you’re a hundred times the person Angel is. It’s like a light switched on in my head, and I saw what was missing in my relationship with her.”

  How is that possible? Lexi was flattered if he admired her qualities, but surely it couldn’t be deeper than that. “Maybe it’s just a coincidence that I’m here when it happened,” Lexi said, although it sounded lame even to her as she spoke.

  “Maybe,” he said. “But I think it’s mostly you.”

  Lexi’s breathing stuttered. “That does sound crazy.”

  “Not so crazy.” His voice was quiet, thoughtful. “I didn’t realize I could be so relaxed around a woman and just be myself. With Angel it’s always…” He shook his head like he was trying to clear away some memory. “In the end, I realized that if I was thinking about kissing you, I should probably break up with Angel.”

  “You were—” Lexi cut off before she completely embarrassed herself. He’d been thinking about kissing her? And he’d broken up with Angel because of it?

  He looked at the ocean again. “But I didn’t want to act on anything, because you’re leaving, and it wouldn’t be fair to you… or to me. I mean, we’ll probably never see each other again, right?”

  She’d had the same thoughts as well, but coming from him, it all sounded pretty depressing. But she couldn’t forget that he wanted to kiss her. What would one kiss hurt? He was single; she was single. She was definitely curious, and maybe smitten, too. And she didn’t expect anything—‌one kiss wouldn’t break her heart. Right?

  She stepped toward him and touched his arm. He turned, and she placed her hands on his chest. She didn’t have time to comprehend that his heart was beating as fast as hers before she rose and pressed her mouth against his.

  For a second, he didn’t move, and Lexi thought she might have made a mistake. Maybe he really had determined not to kiss her. That he’d be the honorable gentleman and shake her hand good-bye.

  That thought was quickly dispelled when his lips responded, taking control. Lexi had read a couple of romance novels in her lifetime but hadn’t seen much point in them—‌men weren’t really that considerate, totally hot, and great in bed, all wrapped up into one fabulous hero. But kissing David contradicted all of the pessimism she’d ever conjured.

  His hands cradled her face, then moved behind her neck as his kiss deepened. If dancing with him had heightened her senses, kissing him made her feel like she’d discovered another sphere on earth. It was definitely not what Lexi had expected. While she hoped being kissed by David would be great, she wasn’t expecting a floating-above-the-earth sensation.

  Lexi found herself clinging to his shirt and foregoing essential breathing in favor of not breaking off. David’s hands moved down her back, stopping at her waist, and he pulled her closer as he deepened his kissing.

  She let her body fit with his. Lexi had no idea it could be like… this. When she was absolutely forced to breathe, she drew away. David’s hold relaxed, but he didn’t release her.

  “It’s okay to kiss me if you want to,” she whispered.

  “Good,” he whispered back. Then he brushed her neck with light kisses that made her shiver. “But it’s definitely your fault.”

  “What’s my fault?” she asked.

  His raised his head. “That I broke up with my girlfriend, and that I’m here kissing you now.”

  “Oh.” Warmth traveled through her at his words. “Is that okay with you?”

  He smiled. “It’s more than okay.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “Can I kiss you again?”

  “Yes.”

  Chapter Eight

  When Lexi awoke, the sun was well on its way to the middle of the sky, and Apelu’s house was absolutely silent. Lexi tugged her pillow to her chest. She hadn’t fallen asleep until almost dawn. She’d stayed out with David far too late, and when she crept back into the house, it was after 2:00 a.m. But even though she was exhausted, her mind wouldn’t shut off from the exhilaration of being with David. She’d never experienced anything like it.

  Suddenly, cheesy phrases like stars in her eyes or head over heels made some sense. She wasn’t the same Lexi that walked off the plane at the Honolulu airport. All because of David.

  She bolted upright. David was coming over. He wanted to take her kayaking on her last day in Hawaii. She glanced at the clock on the dresser; she had about twenty minutes before he’d arrive. She hurried to get ready, and as she let hot water run over her in the shower, she questioned her sanity.

  Maybe last night had been a dream—‌not that she’d been asleep—‌but did it all happen as she believed it had? Did David really break up with his girlfriend because of her? As the warm water soaked her body, the memories from last night grew hazier. It all seemed a bit unreal. But the kissing had definitely been real… at least for Lexi. How did David feel about it? He probably had no problem getting dates or keeping girlfriends. Sydney had been right—‌a girl knew when she’d met David.

  When Lexi was ready to go, David hadn’t arrived. He was only about five minutes late, but the thought of him changing his mind, and not showing up, sent her heart into overdrive. She’d almost convinced herself that last night hadn’t happened how she remembered it. But now, she wanted to believe it had.

  She wandered through the kitchen and picked up a banana then found a note on the refrigerator addressed to her. Apelu’s mom had left it, telling her to help herself and that everyone would be at work or school until that afternoon. Apelu’s mom would take Lexi to the airport tomorrow morning.

  Lexi wrote a note back, leaving her cell number and saying she’d be out with David most of the day.

  At least she hoped she would.

  As she tacked the note up, she heard a vehicle arriving. She peered out the window, and there was David’s jeep. He’d come.

  Lexi smiled. It had been real. Last night. All of it.

  She ope
ned the front door as he climbed from the jeep. When he saw her, he smiled, and Lexi thought she might melt on the spot. He wore a tank that showed off his arms and Hawaiian-print board shorts.

  He came around the jeep as she crossed the yard, and for a second, she didn’t know how to greet him. A hug? A kiss? Just climb in the passenger seat? She didn’t have to wonder long, because David scooped her up in a hug, lifting her off the ground.

  She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck if only to hang on.

  “Glad you were waiting for me,” David said, his breath tickling the side of her face.

  “What else would I be doing?” Lexi asked as he set her down.

  He didn’t release her, just gazed at her. “Absolutely nothing else.”

  She felt the intensity of his brown eyes all the way to her stomach. “I’m glad you came.”

  “Did you doubt I would?” David asked.

  She hesitated.

  “Lexi?” he said in a soft voice, touching her chin so their eyes met.

  “This is all really new...” Her heart thundered at his touch as memories of kissing flooded back.

  One side of his mouth lifted. “It is. But I wasn’t about to ditch you, okay?”

  “Okay,” Lexi said.

  “Come on,” David said, grasping her hand and leading her to the jeep. “The kayaks are waiting.”

  Lexi climbed in and settled against the warm, cracked leather. What would Sydney think if she could see Lexi with David now?

  I told you so… Or something similar.

  David drove out of the yard. They pulled onto the highway and headed in the opposite direction from the day they’d gone to the waterfalls. Lexi’s stomach was in knots, both at being alone with David and from knowing that she was leaving tomorrow.

  When David slipped his hand into hers, she wished, not for the first time, that she didn’t have to leave so soon. But there was no point going there. Last night, when she’d kissed him first, she’d known that whatever was between them had an expiration date. Not that they couldn’t email or text, but as Lexi looked at their intertwined hands, she knew nothing could ever make up for being with David in person.

  By the time he pulled off to a beach, Lexi realized she already felt comfortable with him. The thought of saying goodbye tonight made her miss him already.

  “This is it,” David said, releasing her hand then hopping out of the jeep. They’d stopped by a row of sheds between the road and the beach. “We’ll grab a couple of water bottles, and then we’ll be set. Did you bring sunscreen?”

  “I’m wearing some,” Lexi said.

  “That should be okay until we get back,” he said, turning the combination lock on one of the shed doors. When the lock turned, he tugged the door open. He pulled two kayaks from the shed, laying them side by side.

  “Let’s find you a life jacket,” David said.

  Lexi walked over to the shed and tried one on.

  David watched her zip it up. “You don’t want it too loose.”

  “It’s fine,” she said.

  “Only wear what you want to get wet.”

  Lexi had a swimsuit on under her clothes. “Okay, I’ll take some stuff off.” She walked over to the jeep and unzipped the life jacket. She peeled off her t-shirt and shorts. She’d elected to go with the red- and white-polka dotted suit. She hadn’t had a chance to get Sydney’s opinion on the ones she’d brought, so Lexi chose the one that fit best.

  When David came out of the shed, she was zipping up the life jacket again. “You’ve probably never seen such a pasty white woman before.”

  David laughed. “Well, maybe you should stick around a little longer and get some more sun.”

  Lexi’s stomach flipped at the comment. He was walking toward her, and her stomach flipped again. When he stopped in front of her, he said, “Everything fit okay?”

  She was sure she’d start blushing within seconds if he didn’t stop gazing at her. “Um, yeah.”

  “Let’s get going then.” He turned and picked up one of the kayaks, lifting it to his shoulder. “I’ll be back for the other one.”

  He walked toward the surf and set the kayak at the water’s edge. Before he could turn around, she moved toward the jeep and folded her clothes on the front seat, to avoid being caught staring at David. It was probably a good thing she was leaving. She could imagine a hundred different ways she might make a fool out of herself today, and one was constantly staring at him.

  “Got the water?” David’s voice broke through her thoughts.

  She must have been daydreaming. “Yeah.” She grabbed the bottles where she’d set them on the runner of the jeep.

  David had hoisted the second kayak onto his shoulder and waited for her. They walked to the ocean together. “We’ll head straight out. The cross current doesn’t start for about a hundred yards.”

  “How do we stay together? With a rope or something?”

  “No,” he said, amusement in his eyes. “Don’t worry; I won’t let you stray too far from me.”

  His words warmed her through, and as she walked into the water, dragging her kayak, she didn’t even feel the cold. When they reached about waist-deep water, David helped her into her kayak.

  “Just do what I do,” he said, climbing into his own kayak.

  Lexi paddled out with him, copying his movements. The quiet of the ocean was amazing. The farther they paddled from shore, the more it felt like they were in their own world.

  After about fifteen minutes of paddling, David maneuvered next to her. “How are you doing?”

  She was out of breath but enjoying the exercise. “I wish I had a waterproof camera.”

  “Do you want to go snorkeling?”

  “Can we fit that all into one day?” Lexi asked.

  David grasped the side of her kayak and pulled it next to his so they were side by side, facing each other. “Who says we have to do it all in one day?”

  Even though they were both in their kayaks, they were close enough to touch. “I am leaving tomorrow,” Lexi said. “So it would have to be today.”

  David leaned closer. “Not if you changed your flight.”

  She was about to protest when he kissed her. His hand tugged at her life jacket, pulling her toward him, and she kissed him back, the kayaks knocking against each other in the water.

  “David,” she said between kisses. “You’re going to tip me over.”

  He chuckled but didn’t release her. His mouth moved slowly against hers, and she closed her eyes. It was like a dream… completely unreal. Floating in the water, kissing this man. San Diego, college, and even Sydney and Apelu seemed far, far away.

  After spending the next couple of hours in the kayaks, David declared that he was starving. As they started paddling back to shore, Lexi asked, “Are we going to your restaurant again?”

  “No,” David said, looking over at her. “I’m too selfish for that.”

  “What are you talking about?” Lexi asked.

  “I brought some food. That way, I get you all to myself.”

  Lexi tried not to blush, but it was hopeless, especially since David was still watching her.

  “Are you okay with that?” he asked.

  “Did you bring any chicken?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then I’m okay with it.” Lexi met his gaze, and something passed between them— a connection she’d never felt before, like something tugged her toward him, although she couldn’t define it.

  This can’t be happening. I can’t be so attached to him.

  When they were nearly to shore, David climbed out of his kayak then helped Lexi out of hers. When they got the kayaks safely beached, he took off his life jacket, and she did the same.

  David tossed both jackets onto the beach then grabbed her hand. Before she knew it, she was in his arms, kissing him. The breeze from the ocean flowed around them, but Lexi was plenty warm with her body against David’s.

  He broke off the kiss first. “Stay,�
� he whispered, gazing at her, his hands cradling her face. “Stay here with me.”

  She stared into his brown eyes. She didn’t want to move, didn’t want David to release her, and didn’t want to say no. But what other choice did she have? “I can’t stay. Classes start in two days.”

  His hands moved behind her neck, his touch soft. “You can transfer to U of H. Or even BYU-Hawaii. Or take courses online.”

  Lexi shook her head. “I have a scholarship, and I’m set to graduate in December. I can’t cut all that out of my life. My credits probably wouldn’t transfer fully anyway.”

  David lowered his forehead to hers. “You’re worrying too much.” He brushed his mouth against hers.

  Lexi closed her eyes, melting against him and kissing him. Being in David’s arms was such an incredible feeling—‌nothing compared to it. But she knew she had to say good-bye. This wasn’t real life. Being with David and living in Hawaii weren’t part of the goals she’d set for herself. All things David belonged to this crazy Hawaii trip, and she’d be returning to her real world in the morning.

  A rush of waves soaked their feet and ankles, and David tightened his hold, still kissing her. After he pulled back he said, “Give me one more day. If class doesn’t start for two days, you can have one more day here. I’ll take you to the U of H, and you can talk to a counselor. Just to see what your options are.”

  She gazed at him, her heart pounding. Saying good-bye would be painful. And what if her credits did transfer? Surely U of H had a good science program; they were surrounded by some of the greatest plant and ocean life in the world.

  She’d check out her options—‌that was all. Not that she’d be changing her mind.

  “Okay,” she said, hardly believing herself even as she spoke. “I’ll stay one more day.”

  David threw his head back and whooped then he scooped her up and spun her around.

  “Put me down!” Lexi squealed, but David ignored her until she was laughing.